Daily Bread 2011 - Acts 4
Daily Bread 2011 – Acts 4
The Believers Share Their Possessions
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
What Does This Mean?
Like in chapter 2, chapter 4 stresses the unity of all the believers. In this text, a major aspect of this unity was the sharing of possessions. Not only were the believers of one heart and mind, but also of one pocketbook. As God’s grace flourished in these conditions, there were no needy people among them.
People were so at one that even when someone had a windfall in real estate ownership in land or homes, they would sell their assets and bring it to the apostle’s for their distribution to those in need. Joseph, also called Barnabas, was a relative of St. Mark, and also traveled with St. Paul on his missionary journeys. Tradition has it he was martyred for his faith in Jesus in Cyprus.
What Does This Mean For Us?
It is hard to imagine in our culture a situation where people would be so close knit that they would sell their possessions and have such a high level of trust in their leaders to give it to them to distribute to those in need. At the heart of such generosity is a large amount of trust and obedience to God and that He would supply all of their needs. We see that God was working in many powerful ways and this heightened the sense of trust and sharing together of resources.
Often we think all that what we have is ours. We earned and we have the right to keep it to ourselves. But in reality everything we have is a gift from God. Of course, God wants us to work hard; but we still have been blessed to be born into our families, received an education, and have the gift, intellect and work ethic to produce an abundance so we are in a position to share with those in need.
We live in tough economic times, and unemployment is higher than it has been in many recent years. And yet, God calls us to mimic the generosity of the first Church community who shared when they had extra so those in need could get by. There are many things the Church is called to be about, but one thing we should never neglect are those in need in our community. Jesus says, “What you do unto the least of these you do unto me.”
Gracious God thank you for all you have given us, most of all the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. As we have received your grace and continue to live in it, help us to share all you have given to us with those who are without. Amen.
The Believers Share Their Possessions
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
What Does This Mean?
Like in chapter 2, chapter 4 stresses the unity of all the believers. In this text, a major aspect of this unity was the sharing of possessions. Not only were the believers of one heart and mind, but also of one pocketbook. As God’s grace flourished in these conditions, there were no needy people among them.
People were so at one that even when someone had a windfall in real estate ownership in land or homes, they would sell their assets and bring it to the apostle’s for their distribution to those in need. Joseph, also called Barnabas, was a relative of St. Mark, and also traveled with St. Paul on his missionary journeys. Tradition has it he was martyred for his faith in Jesus in Cyprus.
What Does This Mean For Us?
It is hard to imagine in our culture a situation where people would be so close knit that they would sell their possessions and have such a high level of trust in their leaders to give it to them to distribute to those in need. At the heart of such generosity is a large amount of trust and obedience to God and that He would supply all of their needs. We see that God was working in many powerful ways and this heightened the sense of trust and sharing together of resources.
Often we think all that what we have is ours. We earned and we have the right to keep it to ourselves. But in reality everything we have is a gift from God. Of course, God wants us to work hard; but we still have been blessed to be born into our families, received an education, and have the gift, intellect and work ethic to produce an abundance so we are in a position to share with those in need.
We live in tough economic times, and unemployment is higher than it has been in many recent years. And yet, God calls us to mimic the generosity of the first Church community who shared when they had extra so those in need could get by. There are many things the Church is called to be about, but one thing we should never neglect are those in need in our community. Jesus says, “What you do unto the least of these you do unto me.”
Gracious God thank you for all you have given us, most of all the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. As we have received your grace and continue to live in it, help us to share all you have given to us with those who are without. Amen.
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